Cylinder type papermaking machine and method



March 19, 1946- J. E. GooDwlLLlE ET A1. 2,396,694

CYLINDER TYPE PAPER MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed May 5l, 1941 9Sheets-Sheet l daf/m El G'aaow/u/E.

March 19, 1946. J. E. GOODVWLUE ETA.. 2,996,694

CYLINDER TYPE PAPER MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD 9 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Mays1, 1941 z-LVE'z- :F E fof/v boon/MME.

231. E 552er.

CYLINDER TYPE PAPER MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD vFilm1 May 51, 1941 9sheets-sheet 3 `March 19, 1946. J. E. GooDwlLLlE ET AL 2,396,694

CYLINDER TYPE PAPER MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed May 5l, 1941 9Sheets-Sheet 4 r4/QA ff. 5542er.

March 19, 1946- J. E. GooDwlLLlE ET AL. 2,396,594

CYLINDER TYPE PAPER MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed May 3l, 1941 9Sheets-Sheet 5 iii ' @Tg-Ww Jon/v @occur/LME.

fqeL 552er.

March 19, 1945- l.1. E. GOODWILLIE ET AL 2,396,694

CYLINDER TYPE PAPER MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed May 5l, 1941 9Sheets-Sheet 6 l ZYEJ 2..:1 E

DOUOCCC CCO CYLINDER TYPE PAPER MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed May 31.1941 9 Sheefcs-Sheet 7 March 19, 1946- J. E. GooDwlLLlE ET Al. 2,396,694

CYLINDER TYPE PAPER MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed May 31, 1941 v9sheets-sheet 8 N 1 ZVEI ZZCDYTE @anm March 19, `1946. J. E, GOODWlLLlEET AL 2,396,694

CYLINDER TYPE PAPER MAKING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed May 31, 1941 9Sheets-Sheet 9 C/oH/v GoaDw/LL/E. .15h21. El BEeeV.

Patented Mar. 19, 194ev OFFICE CYLINDER TYPE PAPERMAKING MACHINE ANDMETHOD John E. Goodwillie and Earl E. Berry, Beloit, Wis.,

assignors to Beloit Iron Works, corporation of Wisconsin Beloit, Wis., a

Application May 31, 1941, Serial No. 396,066

24 Claims. (Cl. 92443) This invention relates to the rapid formation oflaminated paper and board sheets by a combination of atmospheric orsuperatmospheric pressures on the paper stock on one side of theycylinder molds and vacuum or subatmospheric pressures of variousdegrees on the insides of the cylinder molds.

More specifically this invention relates to cylinder type paper makingmachines including opposed cylinder molds having web forming areascovering various degrees of the mold faces, together with plain orsuction couch rolls that are positioned to direct pick-up felts forbringing together the wire sides of the webs from each mold, to combinethe webs into one laminated sheet, and toseal vacuum or subatmosphericpressure yareas at the points where the webs are removed from the molds.

In the usual cylinder type paper making machines, the webs from themolds are successively picked up on a felt to produce a laminated sheetor board always having at least one exposed wire or forming side face.This wire side face is always coarser than the non-wire side face andhas, due to drainage of iine fibers through the wire, im-` perfectionsor wire marks not found in the nonwire side or top side of the web. Itis referred to by papermakers as a galvanized surface 'and can bedescribed as a streaked surface simulating "watered silk and havingirregular wavy lines running in the direction of the length of theforming wire. The "galvanized surface may also be defined as animperfection in the fiber arrangement on the wire side of the sheetformed by the action of the stock and water as it first contacts thewire.

The machines of this invention produce supe-l rior laminated sheets orboards since the wire side of each web or lamination is inside of thelaminated sheet or board. The galvanized surface of the web is hidden bybringing together two wire sides of newly formed webs and joining :thesame to produce the laminated sheet. As a result only the non-wire sidesof the webs will be exposed and both surfaces of the finished sheet willhave well-lled and well-formed characteristics. In this way thesheetsproduced by machines of this invention are always symmetrical and willnot curl due to differences in fiber formation on opposite sidesthereof.

In accordance with this invention a plurality of cylinder molds arearranged with a pair of transfer rolls or couch rolls defining a nipreceiving the webs from each mold therebetween to the pair of opposedconsolidate the webs into a single laminated sheet or board.

In preferred embodiments of the invention a pair of opposed oppositelyrotating cylinder molds are mounted in the same vat or in adjacent vatsto deliver their webs to separate felts trained through the nipsprovided by couch rolls cooperating with the top of each cylinder mold.These couch rolls in turn cooperate with each other to dene a common nlpfor both felts and webs. The felts are directed varound their respectivecouch rolls to bring the wiresides of the webs together, and as the webspass through this common nip they are laminated sheet or board.

The nips between the cylinder molds and the couch rolls together withthe common nip between the couch rolls seal off the space between thecylinder molds through which the exposed forming surfaces must passafter delivering their webs to the felts."l This facilitates themaintenance of vacuum within the molds.

In the first illustrated form of the invention cylinder molds rotateinto and out of separate adjoining ponds of stock maintained by separate'feed boxes. White water is removed from the interior of each cylindermold 4through suitable drain connections and suction lines communicatewith each interior above the pond levels. The couch rolls bridge thespace between the molds.

Since the webs cover the molds between the points .where they emergefrom the ponds to the points where they are removed from the molds, andsince the couch rolls bridge the space through which the exposed moldsurfaces must travel before reentering the ponds, the vacuum within themolds can be maintained without dimculty by the mere provision ofsuitable end seals.

In the second illustrated a similar arrangement is provided except thatthe ponds are sealed oi from the space between the cylinder moldsbridged by the couch rolls. This space is evacuated by means of asuction line. With this arrangement it is possible to maintain higherdegrees of vacuum inside of the cylinder molds, because the pond levelsare not raised into the evacuated space.

In the third illustrated form of the invention, stock is flowed fromfeed boxes against the /surfaces of the pair of cylinder molds, but thewhite water from the stock is drained back through the faces of themolds so that the molds will run substantially empty. Seals extendacross the facesof the molds at the bottoms thereof and form of theinvention pressed together to form the divide the vacuum space from thespace containing the paper stock.

In the fourth illustrated form of the invention the paper stock isbrought to the formation areas on the cylinder molds by means of doublepipe distributors or ow eveners. Suctioncouoh rolls Aare provided tobridge the space between the cylinder molds.

In the fifth illustrated form of the invention the suction couch rollsare maintained in spaced opposed relation but effectively transfer thewebs from the cylinder' molds to the pick-up felts. These felts are thendirected with the webs therebetween through a suction press whichlaminates the webs into a single sheet or board. Seals maintain thevacuum existing in the cylinder molds throughout the space above thecouch rolls and below the suction press. ment the couch rolls, suctionpress and seals bridge the space between the cylinder molds.

In the sixth illustrated form of the invention the formation zones forthe cylinder molds are equipped with a series of corrugated disks whichare rotated in timed relation to the speed of the machine for creatingan entirely random formation of fibers.

In the seventh illustrated embodiment of the invention the formationzones for the cylinder molds are divided into three parts. The lowerpart of each zone receives stock flowing across the length of thecylinder mold in one direction. The top part receives stock flowing inthe opposite direction. The middle part receives stock directly from thehead box to flow radially onto the cylinder molds.

It is then an object of this invention to provide cylinder type papermaking machines for rapid production of laminated sheets free fromexposed galvanized surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide arrangements of cylindermolds and couch rolls for effectively sealing off the vacuum areas inthe cylinder molds.

Another object of the invention isto provide cylinder type paper makingmachines having opposed oppositely rotating ,cylinder molds incooperating relation with couch rolls bridging the space between thecylinder molds.

A further object of the invention is to provide cylinder type papermaking machines with the cylinder molds and couch rolls thereof arrangedfor bringing together the wire sides ofthe separate webs.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apair of cylindermolds in adjacent ponds of stock with couch rolls which define transfernips to remove the webs from the molds together with a common webconsolidating nip to join together the webs from the molds.

A. specific object of the invention is to isolate the web forming zonesof cylinder type paper making machines from the web transfer zones ofthe cylinder molds.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide forming areas forcylinder type paper making machines which insure the application ontothe cylinder molds of a random mixture of fibers free from fiberbundles.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide cylinder typepaper making machines with web forming zones having different stockareas.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following detailed descriptions of theannexed In this 'arrangesheets of drawings which by way of exampledisclose the preferred seven embodiments of the Y invention.

0n the drawings:

Figure l is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevational view, with partsshown in vertical cross section, of the first preferred embodiment ofthe invention wherein the cylinder molds rotate into and out ofadjoining ponds of stock.

Figure 1A is a diagrammatic top plan view of the couch rolls, cylindermolds and vat illustrated in Figure 1. A

Figure 1B is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the machine shownin Figures 1 and 1A.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the second preferred formof the invention wherein the ponds of stock are sealed off from thespace hetgeen the cylinder molds bridged by the couch rol Figure 2A is atop plan view of the machine shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of the third preferred formof the invention wherein the white water drained from the paper stock isallowed to flow back through the faces of the cylinder molds.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in Figure `3illustrating the end seals for the cylinder molds and couch rolls.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, with parts in elevation,taken along the line V-V of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view, with parts in elevation,taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 4 Figure 'i is a fragmentary crosssectional view, with parts in elevation taken along the line VII-VII ofFigure 4.

Figure 8 is a vertical cross sectional view of the fourth preferred formof the invention wherein the cylinder molds receive stock from opposi'flowing streams and wherein suction couch rolls are provided.

Figure 8A is a horizontal cross sectional view taken along the lineVIIIa-VIIIa of Figure 8.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectionai view, with parts inelevation, of the fifth preferred form of the invention wherein suctioncouch rolls cooperate with a suction press and with seals to bridge thespace between the cylinder molds.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view, with parts in elevation, of thesixth preferred form of the invention wherein the forming zones for thecylinder molds are equipped with corrugated disks to effect a randomdistribution of fibers.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary elevational view taken along the line XI-XIof Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a vertical cross sectional view of the seventh preferredform of the invention wherein the forming zones for the cylinder moldsare divided into a plurality of parts receivingjlB and l1. The stock issupplied to the head boxes I6 and l1 through stock conduits Il and Il. Acylinder mold 20 is rotatably mounted in the 'accesos pond area i4. Asecond cylinder mold 2| is rotatably mounted in the pond area I5. 'I'heside the interiors of thecylinder molds 28 and 2| at the tops thereof.

Couch rolls 32 and 33 cooperate w1th the cylinder molds 2|) and 2|respectively to define transfer nips 34 and 35 at the top portions ofthe molds for effecting transfer of the webs on the molds to roll 4|,thence back around another guide roll 42 and downwardly to a guide roll43. The felt next passes upwardly to a guide roll 44. The draw of the"felt between the guide rolls 43 and 44 can be acted on by a beater 45.After passage over the guide roll 44 the felt is directed over a suctionbox 46, and thence again to the top of the cylinder mold.

The felt 31 has a similar path and travels over the cylinder mold 2|around the couch roll 33, through the press 38 and next to a secondpress 41. After passage through the second press 41 the felt is thendirected around guide rolls 48 to a tensioning roll 49 and in front of abeater 58, thence around another guide roll 48 and over a suction box5|.

The couch rolls 32 and 33 preferably have relatively soft rubber covers32a and 33a respectively. These couch rolls cooperate to dene a commonnip 52 therebetween. End seal plates 53 carried by the side walls of thevat cooperate with the ends of the cylinder molds 20 and 2| and the endsof the couch rolls 32 and 33 to seal oiT a space 54 between the cylindermolds. As will be hereinafter described the ends of Ethe cylinder moldsbetween the points where the same emerge from the ponds of stock |4 andI5 to the nips 34 and 35 are alsosealed.

In operation, stock is supplied to the head boxes I6 and |1 from theconduits I8 and I9. These head boxes maintain ponds of stock in thepondv areas |4 and I5. The cylinder molds 20 and 2| rotate in oppositedirections through these ponds of stock. Thus the cylinder mold 20rotates in a clockwise direction through the pond area I4 while thecylinder mold 2| rotates in a counterclockwise direction through thepond area 5. White water is drained from the interiors of the cylindermolds through the drain conduits 24 and 25. The fibers in the stock arethus deposited on the cylinder molds to form webs thereon. As the moldsemerge from the ponds the webs cover the peripheral forming surfacesthereof. The pickup felts 36 and 31 then' contact these webs and the*webs are transferred to the felts as the same pass through the nips 34and 35. 'Ihe felts with the webs thereon are then directed around thecouch rolls 32 and 33 into the common nipl 52 thereby y -3 bringingtogether the wire sides of the webs. The

felts with the laminated web therebetween are next directed through thepress 38 where the web is pressed to express water therefrom. The webthen follows the felt 31 through the press 41 for further extraction ofwater.

The interiors of the cylinder molds 20 and 2| are maintained underreduced pressure by the suction conduits and 3| for speeding up the webformation on thevmolds. Since the cylinder mold forming surfaces areexposed from the points Where the webs are removed therefrom to thepoints where they reenter the stock ponds, this partial vacuum wouldbe'destroyed unless the exposed surfaces of the molds were sealed fromthe atmosphere. The bridging arrangement of the couch rolls togetherwith the pressure nips provided therebetween and the end sealseiilciently protect these otherwise exposed areas of the cylinder moldsin an easy manner.

In Figures 2 and 2A parts substantially identical with parts describedin Figure 1 have been designated by the same reference numerals. 'I'hedividing wall I3a between the pond areas I4 and I5 does not extend tothe top of the vat I I as does the wall I3 in Figure l. The wall I3aterminates below the top of the vat II and supports a horizontalpartition 55 carrying flexible seals 56 and 51 which rub againstthecylinder molds 20 and 2| to separate the pond areas |4 and I5 from thespace 54. A suction conduit 58 communicates with the space 54 toevacuate this space, and at the same time to evacuate the interiors ofthe cylinder molds 20 and 2| since the same communicate through theirexposed forming surfaces with this space 54. The space 54 can bemaintained under higher vacuum when the seals 56 and 51 are used, sincethe level of stock in the ponds |4 and I5 will not be drawn up into thisspace. As a result o the interiors of the suction molds can bemaintained under a very high vacuum without difliculty. y i

A pair of shower pipes 59 can be mounted in the space 54 to eject spraysof water against the exposed forming surfaces of the molds 20 and 2| asthey pass through this space.

n The Webs formed on the molds are transferred to the felts 36 and 31 atthe nips 34 and 35 and have their wire sides brought together at thecommon nip 52 in the same manner described in Figure 1.

In the third form of the invention illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 thecylinder molds 20 and 2| are rotatably mounted in a common vat 60. Thisvat has stock inlets 6| and 62 in the opposite ends thereof suppliedfrom conduits 63 and 64. The stock flows upwardly through the inlets,over walls 65 and 66 and under slices 61 and 68 mounted in the vats incooperating relation with the molds 20 and 2| respectively. The vat hasa pair of circles 69 formed therein defining pond areas 10 and 1| forthe cylinder molds 2|) and 2| respectively. These pond areas receive thestock from thein lets 6| and 62.

The slices 61 and 68 denne the upper limits of the pond areas 16 and 1|.

In accordance with this invention,seals 12 and 13 extend across thefaces of the molds 20 and 2| at the bottoms thereof to form the lowerlimits of the pond areas 10 and 1|. These seals 12 and 13 are mounted oncarriers 14 and 15 slidably engaged in grooves 16 and 11 of trackmembers 18 and 19 mounted in the bottom of the vat 60. Springs and 8|urge the carriers 14 and 15 upwardly towards the cylinder molds 28 and2| to provide a ilexible mounting for the seals. \\'l.1he stock owsdownwardly through the pond areas T8 and 1| against the oppositelyrotating cylinder molds 28 and 2|. 'I'he white water drains into theinteriors of the cylinder molds, and thence flows back through the facesof the molds at points between the seals 12 and 13, and back into thevat -68 at the central portion thereof. The White water is drained fromthe central portion of the vat through a drain conduit 82. The rubbercovered couch rolls 32 and 33 cooperate with the cylinder molds in thesame manner described in connection with Figure 1 to provide the nips 34and 35 together with the common nip 52. The space 54 between thecylinder molds is .x bridged by the couch rolls but communicates withthe bottom portion of the vat between the seals 12 and 13. A suctionconduit 58 similar to that described in Figure 2 is provided forevacuating the space 54, and since this'space 54 communi- Cates with theinteriors of the suction molds 2|)A and 2| throughout the entire exposedforming surface areas thereof between the Inps 34 and 35 and the seals12 and 13, the: interiors of these suction molds are readily evacuated.Since the white water drains into the interiors of the cylinder molds atthe pond areas 18 and 1 I ,'and then drains back through the faces ofthe cylinder molds just beyond the seals 12 and 13, the molds are keptsubstantially empty. A very high speed web formation is thus obtained.

A pair of shower pipes 83 are mounted in the central portion of the vat68 to direct streams of water against the exposed forming surfaces ofthe molds for washing the same before they enter the pond areas 18 and1|. g The webs from the cylinder molds are transferred to the felts 38and 31 at the nips 34 and 35 and the wire sides of the webs are broughttogether at the common nip 52 as described in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 4 the side wall of the vat S8 is built up with aplate 85 bolted on the vat. This plate covers the ends of the cylindermolds 28 and 2| and carries removable doors 88 and 81 in alignment withthe seal carriers and mountings for the seals 12 and 13. The removal ofthe doors provides access to the seals so that the seal mountings 14 and15 can be slid out of the vat for adjustment and replacement of theseals 12 and 13.

The plate 85 has arcuate flanges 88 around the outer ends thereof which,as shown in Figure 5, house seals such as 89 in sealing engagement withend rings 98 of the cylinder molds such as 2|. The flanges 88 havelocalized built up housing portions 88a as best shown in Figure 6. Aspring 9| is mounted in each housing portion 88a and is backed by ablock 92 carried on an adjusting bolt 93 threaded through the housing88a. The spring 9| can thus be compressed to urge the seal 89 in propersealing engagement withthe end ring 98 of the cylinder mold 2|. The seal89 can be formed of any suitable sealing material such as rubber,leather or the like, and preferably has a recess 89a in the face thereofcontacting the ring 98 to convey a lubricating fluid such as wateraround the end ring 98 for lubricating the rubbing surfaces.

The doors 86 and 81 also have built up housing portions 86a and 81athereon. As shown in Figure 7 the housing portion 81a of the door 81receives a spring 94 urged by an adjusting boit 85 against a fillerblock 88 slidably mounted through the flange 88 of the plate 85 forurging the seal 89 against the end ring 98. In this manner the seais 89in each flange 8B of the plate 85 are urged at several points againstthe end rings of the cylinder molds 28 and 2|.

The ller block 98, in addition to holding the seal 89 against the endring 98, also serves as a stopper or seal for the space in the ange 88back of the seal 89. If such a stopper were not used, air could besucked through the space in flange 88 from the point 88h at the top ofthe cylinder around the circumference of the flange and into the vacuumspace between the molds.

Asshown in Figure 4, a spring S in the lower end of each flange 88 urgesthe seals 89 circumferentially into abutment with the top ends 88e ofthe anges to prevent air from flowing through the spaces in the flanges'back of the seals into the vacuum space at the top ends of the seals.

The cylinder molds may have the supporting shafts 28a and 2| a thereofmounted in packing glands G where they pass through the end plates asindicated in Figure 4, or the entire bearing assembly support for themolds can be housed over and subjected to vacuum.

It will be noted from Figure 4 that the seals 89 are in eccentricrelation to the cylinder molds 28 and 2| so that grooves will not beworn in the end rings of the molds. It will also be noted from Figures 4and 5 that the top portions of the in Figure 5, are mounted between theplate 91 and the ends of the couch rolls. A horizontal spring 99 urgedby an adjusting bolt |88 threaded through the plate 91 holds the seal 98against the end of the couch roll 33 as illustrated in Figure 5. Avertical spring |8| urged by an adjusting bolt |82 also threaded throughthe plate 81 holds the seal 98 against the seal 89. In this manner thetransfer point at the nip 35 -is efiiciently sealed at the ends thereof.It will be understood that identical seal structure exists at the nip34. It will also be understood that the vat 68 has plates and seals atthe opposite side thereof identical with the structure just describedand cooperating with end rings on the opposite ends of the cylindermolds as well as with the opposite ends of the couch rolls.

The plate 54 described in Figures 1 to 3 is provided with a similar sealarrangement `and the ends of the cylinder molds described in Figures 1to 3 are also sealed with a seal arrangement similar to the justdescribed plate 85 and seals 89. i

In the fourth embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 8 thecylinder molds 28 and 2| are rotatably mounted in a vat ||8. A pair of.adjacent parallel conduits and ||2 are mounted at each end of the vat||8 and receive stock from inlets ||3 communicating with a nonadjacentend of each conduit. Return stock conduits ||4, as shown in Figure 8Acommunicate with the other nonadjacent ends oi the conduits ||I and ||2so that stock will flow through the conduits in opposite directions.'The tops of the conduits are perforated along the lengths 1| thereof asat I I8 to discharge stock from the con- -through passageways |20communicating with overflow boxes |2| which are drained through y drainoutlets |22.- The passageways |20 can be dammed oi by means of gates |23which are slidable toward and away from the slices I and are controlledby adjusting rods |24. In this manner an excess of stock can be flowedto the formina areas H9 and the excess can be recirculated.Alternatively the forming areas 9 can be maintained under pressure bydamming oi the .overflow passageways |20.

' Whitewater iiows from forming areas ||9 to lthe interiorsl of thecylinder molds and 2|.

and can then flowback through the faces of the molds to the vatl ||0.The white water is removed from Suction couch rolls |26 and |21cooperate with the cylinder molds 20 and 2| to define the transfer nips34 and 35. These couch rolls also cooperate with each other to dene thecommon nip 52. The felts 36 and 31 are trained around the couch rolls|26 and |21 to pick up'the webs from the cylinder molds at the nip areas34 and 35 and to convey these webs away from the molds where their wiresides are brought together at the common nip 52.

The suction couch rolls |26 and |21 have downwardlyopening suction areas|28 bounded by seals |29 at the nips 34 and 35 and by seals |30 adjacentto the common nip 52. The seal |30 in roll |26 terminates the vacuumarea in the roll 26 at the nip 52 while the seal |30 in the roll |21terminates the vacuum area in that roll at a point slightly beyond thenip 52. Thus the action of the continuing vacuum from roll |21 on thelaminated sheet serves to strip the sheet; from the felt 36 and tiedaway on felt 31. 'I'he suction box |3| within each suction couch rollcarries a flange |32 which extends substantially across the suction area|28 from the botinsure its being cartop end thereof. This flange forms acollecting trough which prevents water entering the suction area fromdraining by gravity back through the rotating shell of the suction couchroll.

End seals (not shown) can be used to seal the ends of the cylinders andsuction couch rolls so that the interiors of the cylinder molds 20 and-2| can be maintained under vacuum.

The suction couch rolls enhance the transfer of the webs from thecylinder molds to the felts 36 and 31.

the vat through a drain outlet -tom end thereof into spaced relationfrom the I have been designated by the same reference nu-l merals.

In Figures only the forming area ||9 for the Cylinder mold 20 has beenillustrated. It will be understood, however, that an identical formingarea together with an identical stock flow evener device is provided forthe cylinder mold 2| as shown in Figure 8. g

Suction couch rolls |35 -andv |36 somewhat vsmaller than the suctioncouch rolls |26 and |21 described in Figure 8 are rotatably mounted inthe vat ||0 at levels beneath the tops of the cylinder molds 20 and 2|.These suction couch rolls |35 and |36 each have a suction area |31bounded by seals |38 adjacent the cylinder molds 20 and 2| and bydiametrically opposite seals |39. The suction areas |31 thus extendaround thevbottom portion of each couch roll |35 and |36 from the nips34 and 35 between the couch rolls and the cylinder molds to the spacebetween' the couch rolls. 'A flange or wall |40 carried by the head |4|of each suction couch roll prevents gravity drainage of waterbackthrough the roll as described in Figure 8. An area |31a is alsoprovided in each suction couch roll and extends from a seal |39 to latop seal |42. This area is under the same vacuum prevailing in Ythe maincasing. In-leakage of airto the areas |31a is prevented by the insideseals |42 cooperating with other outside seals hereinafter described.

The pick-up felts 36 and 3,1 are trained over guide rolls |43 and |44respectively disposed over the cylinder molds |20 and |2| and thencetravel downwardly against the cylinder molds and through the nips 34 and35. The webs are thus transferred at the nip areas to the felts andtravel with the felts around the suction areas |31 of the couch rolls. Asuction press composed of a suction roll |45 and a cooperating pressroll |46 is mounted above the couch rolls |35 and |36. The felts withthe webs therebetween are directed around the suction roll |45 throughthe nip |41 of the suction press.

A plate |48 has a seal |49 at the top end thereof in sealing engagementwith the roll |46 of the suction press. This plate |48 also has a seal|50 at the bottom end thereof in sealing engagement with the suctioncouch roll |35 above the seal |42.y n

A second plate |5| has" a sealv |52 at the top end thereof in sealingengagement with the suction roll |45 and has a seal |53 at the bottomend thereof in sealing engagement with the suction couch roll |36 abovethe seal |42.

It will be noted that the rolls |45 and |46 of the suction press bridgethe space between the spaced couch rolls |35 and |36, and that thisspace is closed by the plates |48 and` |5I. Since the shell of thesuction roll |45 is perforated the suction box |45a'of the suction rollcarries another seal |54 rubbing against the` interior of the shell toprevent leakage from the outside atmosphere into moved from the moldsonto the felts 36 and 31 at the nps 34 and 35, and are then conveyedthrough the space |65. Suction acting through the felts is effective todewater the webs along the suction areas |31. As a result the interiorsof the cylinder molds 20 and 2| are evacuated from the suction action ofall three suction rolls |35,

y |36 and |45, and the webs are subjected to suction continuously untilthey pass through the nip of the suction press. The vacuums in the areas|3'1 and in the suction press box |45a are, of course, higher than thatmaintained in the interior of the casing proper to effect ow of waterinto the rolls from the sheet and felts. Vacuum in the box |45a can beregulated to suit press roll conditions. K

I'he arrangement shown in Figure 9 thus provides for the removal of theformed sheet from each molding means separate from the laminating means.

In the sixth modification shown in Fig. l0, cylinder molds 20 and 2|together with cooperating couch rolls 32 and 33 are rotatably mounted ina vat-likestructure |60 -having a drain outletv |6| in the bottomthereof.

Feed boxes |62 and |63 are provided at each end of the vat |60 anddefine passages |64 and l|65 respectively receiving stock from inletheaders |66 and |61. The stock is distributed across the full width ofthe passageways |64 and |65 by means of a plurality of branch pipes suchas |68 and |69 connecting the headers with the bottom portions of thepassageways |64 and |65 respectively. f

Enlarged headboxes |10 and |1I are provided at the tops of thepassageways |64 and |65 respectively and communicate through passageways|12 and |13 with formation chambers |14 and |15 which respectively openonto portions of the cylinder molds and 2l.

The passageways |12 and |13 are controlled by gates |16 and |11 whichare conveniently operated by means of rods |18 and wheels |19. The gateswill control the sizes of the passagegenerally downward on the sideremote from the mold and upward or in the mold direction on the sideadjacent to the mold. When the shafts are rotated at peripheral speedshigher than that of the mold the speed of the rotating stock envelope atthe face of the mold can, if desired, be arf-- ranged to coincide withthe surface speed oi the mold. l

As white water drains through the faces of the molds 20 and 2| from theformation chambers |14 and |15, a correspondingv amount of stock will bedrawn from the head boxes |10 and |1| through the regulated passageways|12 and |13. Some of this stock will pass down beside all three shaftsto come to the face of the mold at its start in the formation area.Another portion of the stock will pass between'the lower and middleshaft to make up the amount passing from the face of the mold toward thecenter of the formaways to regulate the flow of stock from the headboxes into the formation chambers.

Slices |80 and |8| are provided at the tops of the formation chambersand can be adjusted toward and away from the cylinder molds.

Three shafts |82, |83 and |84 extend through each formation chamber |14.and |15 in spaced superimposed relation. A plurality of corrugateddisks |85 are mounted in spaced parallel relation 1 to be operated asdesired either above, at, or below machine speed. The speed reference isto the peripheral speed of the edges of the disks as compared with theperipheral speeds of the molds.

The disks as best shown in Figure 10 are spaced rather close to theconfining sides of the formation chambers, and somewhat further from thefaces of the molds. They are rotated upwardly as indicated by the arrowssince the cylinder molds rotate upwardly at these points. With theformation chambers |14 and |15 filled with stock, the rotation of theshafts and disks will create a rotating envelope of the stock in theconfined formation chambers. The flow will be -on each shaft. The diskson adjacent shafts intermesh or overlap as shown in Figure 11, so thattion area and the remaining amount of stock will pass between the upperand middle shaft. Now all parts of this stock will be completelyagitated by the action of the disks thus breaking up i'lber bundles andcausing the fibers to take entirely random arrangements in the rotatingenvelope of stock.

The pressures in the formation areas can be regulated by varying theheight of the stock in the head boxes above the entering passageways aswell as by regulating the sizes of these passageways.

The white water draining through the face of the cylinder molds at theformation chambers enters the interiors of the molds and can again drainback through the faces of the molds at the bottoms thereof into the vatchamber |60. This drained white water can be removed from the vatthrough the drain pipe |6I. In this arrangement the molds will runsubstantially empty as described in Figure 3. Alternatively, of course.drain outlets for the cylinder molds such as are described in Figures 1and 2 could be used.

'I'he fibrous webs formed on the cylinder molds pass under the slicesand I8| into the nips 34 and 35 where they contact the felts 36 and 31.The webs and felts then pass through the nips and the webs follow thefelts around the couch rolls 32 and 33 through the common nip 52.

End seals can be provided to close off the space 54 between the cylindermolds bridged by the couch rolls as described above, and this Space canbe evacuated as described in Figures 2 or 3 or the interiors of thecylinder molds can be evacuated as described in Figure 1. Alternative-1y, of course, the molds could be run at atmospheric pressures relyingupon gravity drainag for web formation.

The corrugated disk arrangement shown in Figure 11 and included in theformation chambers of Figure 10 is claimed in the copending divisionalapplication Serial No. 523,801, filed February 25, 1944, by John E.Goodwillie.

In the seventh embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 12 and 13,parts corresponding with parts described in the sixth Vembodiment of theinvention shown in Figure 10 have been 1 designated by the samereference numerals. In Figures 12 and 13, however, the formationchambers |14 and |15 are divided into three compartments includingbottom compartments |14a and f 15a, middle compartments |14b and 15b,and The head boxes |10 and |1| communicate directly with thel middlecompartments |14b and |1511, and the top and bottom walls of thesemiddle compartments carry slices |90 and |9| extending from the endsthereof toward the cylinder molds to better isolate the compartments.

The bottom compartments Illa and Illia taper A in size across the widthof the chamber being |61a communicating with the mid-portions there.

of, and end pipes |92 and |93 extend from the ends of the headers topumps |94 and |95. The pumps are driven individually by means of motorssuch as |96. The pump |94 `communicates through a valved pipe |91 withthe top chamber i'llc. 'I'he pump |95 communicates through a valve pipe|98 with the bottom chamberA I'Ma. Thus the pumps discharge into thelarge ends of the top and bottom chambers respectively. The small end ofthe bottom chamber is connected through a valved pipe |99 with the pipe|92. 'Ihe small end of the top chamber l'ldc is connected through avalved pipe 200 with the pipe |93. Thus stock is owed in oppositedirections through the chambers l'llla and |l4c from the large inletends thereof to the small outlet ends thereof and excess stock isremoved from these outlet ends through the pipes |99 and 200 back to thepipes |92 and |93. Similar pumps and pipe connections are provided forthe chambers |1511 and illic. A

As a result the top and bottom compartments of each formation chamberhave streams of stock flowing in opposite directions therethrough alongthe full length of the cylinder molds. 'Ihe intermediate or middlecompartments |14b and |15b, on the other hand, receive stock directlyfrom the head boxes and this stock flows radially onto the cylindermolds 20 and 2 In this manner, crossing of the fiber structure invarious parts of the webs being formed on the cylinder molds as the sameadvance through the formation chambers is insured. Pressures in thevarious chambers is controlled largely by the heads of stock carried inthe head boxes and |1| while the cross velocity in the top and bottomchambers is con trolled by the speeds of the pumps and the setting ofthe valves in the valved pipes.

By this arrangement it is possible to obtain a sheet arrangement on eachcylinder mold with the fibers lying at reversed angles to the lengthwisedirection of the sheet in the upper and lower f portions. I'he formationin the center will have the fibers lying substantially in the machinedi` rection.

The conveyance of the webs and the transfer of the webs to the felts aswell as the drainage of white water from the cylinder molds and thesealif desired, together with rapid drainage oi' white water through theforming surfaces. The invention provides an eilicient sealingarrangement for maintaining high vacuums in the cylinder molds andutilizes couch rolls as seals as well as transfer media. The inventionalso provides for controlled handling of the stock to insure thoroughcriss-crossed arrangement of fibers as the same are formed into webs.This eliminates one of the main objections of cylinder type paper makingmachines which generally produce sheets having the fibers mainly lyingin the machine direction.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a paper making machine, a pair of forming parts in spacedrelation, pick-up felts for removing webs from the forming parts, rollsbridging the space between the forming parts/delining a common niptherebetween and cooperating with the forming parts to define pressurenips, means cooperating with said rolls and felts to seal the spacebetween the forming parts', said common nip receiving the felts and webstherethrough to Ibring together the forming surface sides of the webs,and means for evacuating the sealed space between the forming parts.

2. In a cylinder type paper making machine, a pair of spaced opposedcylinder molds rotatable in opposite directions, couch rolls bridgingthe space between the cylinder molds defining a separate nip with eachcylinder mold and a common nip therebetween, means including said couchrolls for sealing the space between the cylinder molds, felts movabletoward each other around said couch rolls to pick up webs from thecylinder molds and bring together the mold sides of the webs at saidcommon nip, and means creat# ing a pressure differential between thesealed space and the atmosphereL surrounding said paper making machine.

3, In a cylinder type paper making machine, means dening a pair ofadjacent stock ponds, a separate cylinder mold rotatable into and out ofeach pond, a pair of couch rolls bridging the space between the cylindermolds and defining a common nip therebetween, means including said couchrolls sealing said space, means for evacuating the sealed space, and apair of pick-up felts trained around said couch rolls for bringingtogether the mold sides of webs formed on the molds at said common nip.

4. In a cylinder type paper making machine including a pair of spacedopposed cylinder molds, a pair of couch rolls bridging the space betweensaid molds in cooperating relation with the molds and with each otherfor defining nips to seal said space,end seals for said space, and meansfor evacuating the sealed space.

5. In a cylinder type paper making machine, a vat defining a pair ofseparated vat circles for ponds of stock, cylinder molds rotatablymounted in each of said Avat circles, a couch roll cooperating with thetop portion of each cylinder mold, said couch rolls dening a `common niptherebetween, felts trained around said couch rolls and over the tops ofsaid cylinder molds for bringing together the mold sides of webs formedon the molds at said common nip, end seals for the space between saidcylinder molds and suction means evacuating said space to maintain theinteriors of the cylinder molds at subatmospheric pressures.

-6. In a cylinder type paper making machine, a vat defining a pair ofadjoining vat circles, feed boxes at the ends of .said vat formaintaining ponds of stock in said vat circles, cylinder molds rotatablymounted in said vat circles for movement in opposite directions throughsaid ponds, a couch roll cooperating with the top portion of eachcylinder mold, said couch rolls defining a on Asaid vat in sealingengagement with said cylinder molds and said couch rolls to cooperatetherewith for sealing the space between the cylinder molds, and meansfor evacuatingfthe interiors of said cylinder molds.

7. In a cylinder type paper making machine, a vat providing a pair ofseparate adjoining vat circles, feed boxes in the ends of said vat formaintaining separate ponds of stock in said vat circles, cylinder moldsmounted in said vat circles and rotatable to enter the adjoining ends ofsaid ponds, seals between the vat circles cooperating with said cylindermolds, couch rolls cooperating with the tops of said cylinder molds andbridging the space between the cylinder molds, end plates in sealingengagement with said cylinder molds, couch rolls cooperating with saidseals' to define an isolated space between the .cylinder molds, andmeans for evacuating said space to maintain the interiors of saidcylinder molds at subatmospheric pressure.

8. In a cylinder type paper making machine, a vat, a pair of spacedopposed cylinder molds rotatably mounted in said vat, couch rollscooperating with the tops of said cylinder molds and with each other tobridge the space between the molds, said couch rolls also cooperating todeiine a common nip therebetween, felts trained around said couch rollsfor bringing together in said common lnip the mold sides of webs formedon the molds, means at the ends of said vat defining a, separateformation chamber for each cylinder mold, means for supplying stock tosaid formation chambers whereby liquid from the stock will drain throughthe faces of the cylinder molds into the bottoms of the molds and backthrough the faces of the molds into the central portion of the vat, anda drain outlet communicatng with said central portion of the vat.

9. In a cylinder type paper making machine, a vat, a pair of spacedopposed cylinder molds pair of spaced opposed forming parts, meansdeiining web forming chambers on said forming parts, a pair of suctioncouch rolls cooperating with said forming parts and with each other tobridge the space therebetween, means sealing said space, means forevacuating the sealed space, and a Vpair of oppositely running feltstrained around said suction couch rolls to pick up and bring togetherwebs from the forming parts. l

l1. In a cylinder type paper making machine including a pair of spacedopposed cylinder molds, the improvements which comprise a pair ofsuction couch rolls bridging the space between said cylinder molds andevacuating said space, and end seals cooperating with the cylinder moldsandcouch rolls to seal the space for maintaining the evacuation thereof.

12. In a cylinder type paper making machine including a pair of spacedopposed cylinder molds, a pair cfspaced couch rolls each cooperatingwith a cylinder mold to define a. nip therewith, a suction pressdisposed above said couch rolls and bridging the space therebetween,seals between the rolls of said suction press and said couch rolls,means for evacuating the sealed space defined by the suction press, thecouch rolls and the seals, and separate felts each trained through a nipbetween a couch roll and the cylinder mold and through the nip of saidsuction press.

13. A cylinder type paper making machine comprising a pair of spacedopposed cylinder molds, suction couch rolls rotatably mounted in thespace between the cylinder molds, felts trained around the bottoms ofsaid couch rolls,

. means in said couch rolls defining a suction area rotatably mounted insaid vat, seals in the bottom of said vat cooperating with the bottomsof said cylinder molds to isolate the end portions of the vat from thecentral portion thereof, means for supplying stock to said isolated endportions for forming webs on said cylinder molds, said cylinder moldsreceiving liquid from said stock therethrough and discharging saidliquid in the central portion of the vat, a drain in said centralportion of the vat for said liquid, said cylinder molds rotatable inopposite directions upwardly through isaid isolated end portions of thevat, a pair of couch rolls cooperating with the top portions of saidcylinder molds and with each other to bridge the space between thecylinder molds, said couch rolls also cooperating to define a commonnip, and felts trained around said couch rolls to pick up webs from thecylinder molds for bringing together the mold sides of the webs in saidcommon nip and thereby produce a laminated sheet free from exposedsurfaces which contacted the molds.

10. A paper making machine comprising a at the bottoms thereof, asuction press above said couch rolls receiving said felts therefrom,seals extending between the tops of said couch rolls and the rolls ofsaid suction press for sealing off the space bounded by the suctionpress, the cylinder molds, and the couch rolls, means for evacuatingsaid sealed ofi space, and means in said couch rolls deiining additionalsuction areas between said felts and said seals.

14. In a cylinder type paper making machine including a pair of spacedopposed cylinder molds and couch rolls bridging the space between saidcylinder molds to deiine a common nip therebetween together withtransfer nips for removing webs from said cylinder molds, theimprovements which comprise seal plates for the ends of said cylindermolds carrying arcuate seals for rubbing engagement with the ends of thecylinder molds, and additional arcuate seals lfor the ends of said couchrolls extending between said transfer hips and said common nip, wherebysaid seals will cooperate to seal oi the space between the cylindermolds bridged by the couch rolls adapting said space for maintenance ofreduced pressures.

15. In a paper making machine, a`plurality of web forming parts inspaced relation, rolls bridging the space between the forming partsincluding couch rolls cooperating with the forming parts, said rollsdeiining nips, means including said rolls providing a sealed spacebetween the web forming parts, means creating a pressure differentialbetween said sealed space and the atmosphere surrounding the papermachine, and felts trained through said nips and around the couch rollsto convey webs away from theforming parts and into engagement with eachother.

16. In a cylinder type paper making machine, a vat, a pair of spacedopposed cylinder molds 7 5 rotatably mounted in said vat, couch rollscooperating with said cylinder molds and with each other to bridge thespace between the molds, said couch rolls providing pickup nips withsaid cylinder molds and a common nip for receiving webs formed on saidmolds, means defining formation chambers for each cylinder mold eachcommunieating with a localized area of the cylinder molds for supplyingpaper stock to the cylinder mold whereby liquid from the stock willdrain through the faces of the cylinder mold into the vat, and a drainin said vat for receiving said liquid.

17. In a cylinder type paper` making machine, a vat, a pair of spacedopposed cylinder molds rotatably mounted in said vat, couch rollscooperating with said cylinder molds and with each other to .bridge thespace between the molds, said couch rolls also cooperating to dene acommon nip therebetween, felts trained around said couch rolls forbringing together in said common nips the mold sides of webs formed onthe molds, means cooperating with each cylinder mold defining a stockchamber having an open end directly communicating with the cylinder moldfor flowing stock fibers onto the molds and stock liquid through themolds into the vat and a drain outlet for said vat receiving saidliquid.

18. A paper making machine comprising a cylinder, a forming wire aroundthe cylinder, a stock feed device dening a chamber communieating withsaid cylinder to deposit stock on the forming wire, a couch roll forremoving from said forming wire a web formed thereon from said stock,structure sealingly enclosing a space receiving the cylindertherethrough, and means creating a pressure differential between saidsealed space and the atmosphere surrounding said paper making machine tospeed up forniation of the web on the forming wire up to the point ofremoval of the web from the forming wire by the couch roll.

19. A paper making machine comprising a vat, a cylinder therein, aforming wire around the cylinder, a feed device for supplying stock tothe wire, a couch roll for removing a web formed on the wire from saidstock. seal structure cooperating with said vat, cylinder, and couchroll enclosing a space communicating with the forming wire, and meanscreating a pressure differential between said enclosed space and theatmosphere surrounding the paper making machine to speed up formation ofthe web on the forming wire up to the point of removal of the web fromthe forming wire.

20. A paper making machine comprising a cylinder, a stock feed devicecommunicating with said cylinder. a seal on said device acting on saidcylinder to provide a lower terminal end for a pool of stock maintainedon the cylinder by said device, a couch roll cooperating with the top ofsaid cylinder to remove a web formed from stock deposited on thecylinder from said pool, and structure sealingly enclosing that portionof the cylinder between the point of removal of the web therefrom bysaid couch roll to said seal at the lower end of the pool of stock,means for evacuating said space to force drainage of white water throughthe cylinder from said pool and to subject the web formed on thecylinder to vacuum up to the point of removal therefrom, and drainagemeans outside of said cylinder receiving said white water whereby whitewater from said pool will drain into the cylinder above said seal andthence back through the face of the cylinder to said drain means belowsaid seal.

21. A cylinder type paper making machine comprising a vat, a pair ofspaced parallel cylinders rotatably mounted in said vat, couch rollscooperating with said cylinders bridging the space therebetween anddefining a common nip to receive webs from both cylinders and form alaminated web therefrom, seal means between said cylinders and vat, andmeans for evacuating the sealed interior of the vat to speed up webformation on the cylinders up to the points of removal of the webs fromthe cylinders by said couch rolls.

22. A paper making machine comprising a cylinder, a vat supporting thecylinder for rotation, a stock feed device communicating with alocalized portion of the cylinder to deposit stock thereon for forming aweb, a couch roll for removing the web formed from said deposited stock,seal structure between the cylinder and feed device, seal structurebetween the vat and couch roll, and means creating al pressuredifferential between the space sealed off by said seal structures andthe atmosphere surrounding the paper making machine to speed up paperformation on the cylinder up to the point of removal of the web from thecylinder.

23. The method of forming paper on spaced adjacent cylinder molds whichcomprises sealing the space between the molds, evacuating sale'. spaceto evacuate the interiors of the molds, rotating the molds, depositingpaper stock on evacuated molds to form paper webs on the removing thewebs from the molds to uncover portions of said molds in said space, andpressi g the mold contacted faces of the Webs together to form acomposite paper sheet.

24. The method of forming paper on spaced adjacent cylinder molds whichcomprises sealing ils,

the space between the molds, rotating the molds throughpaper stock,creating a pressure differential between said space and said paper stockto eiect forced deposition of paper stock onto the molds to form paperwebs thereon, removing the webs from the molds to uncover portions ofsaidl molds in said space, and maintaining said pressure differential upto the point of removal of the webs from the molds.

JOHN E. GOODWILUE.

EARL E. BERRY.

